Aristide Economopoulos/The Star-LedgerA bill passed by a Senate committee would require gas stations to post both cash and credit prices.

TRENTON — A bill that would require gas stations to post both credit and cash prices was approved by a Senate committee.

The bill would mandate signs be placed on the premises, showing the price per gallon of paying with cash and the price per gallon if motorists pay with a credit card.

Gas stations who violate the bill would face a $1,500 sign for the first offense and up to a $3,000 fine for the second and any others.

“This bill is about eliminating some of the sticker shock that people face when paying with a credit card at the pump,” said Senator Shirley Turner (D-Mercer), who sponsored the bill. "It’s unfair to hit drivers with an added cost for credit purchases when they aren’t even aware of the cost disparity until they receive the receipt.”

The bill would take effect four months after enactment so gas stations could create their new signs.

The Senate Transportation Committee cleared the legislation Thursday and it now heads to the full Senate.